Liverpool striker Robbie Keane summer arrival has been at the heart of Rafa Benitez's contract wrangles with the club's owners.

The Mail on Sunday says Keane issue was one of the reasons Benitez demanded authority over chief executive Rick Parry in choosing how Liverpool spend their money in the transfer market. Both owners are in England for the Chelsea game and hope to sort out Benitez's contract concerns so he can agree a new four-year deal before they return to America.

The Americans, who have been split on several issues, have joined forces to try to secure Benitez's signature. One of the most significant changes on the new deal offered to Benitez is that he will now report to the owners on transfers.

A source said: "There has been a lot of communication between the owners and Benitez in the past 72 hours. Some changes have been made to the original contract offer and there is a hope that Benitez will agree to it. The idea is for him to be in charge of football matters, and leave Rick Parry to do the commercial side.

"If Manchester United were in the market for two players who cost the same money, the board would let Sir Alex Ferguson choose which one he needed the most - the same applies for Arsene Wenger and David Moyes. The owners understand Rafa should be given the same deal."

Keane, a boyhood Liverpool fan, will be distraught at having to leave but has been unhappy at the deep lying role he has been asked to play. Benitez indicated last night that he had not sanctioned paying £20m for Keane, insisting: "The club spent it."